134: Self Control – It’s Kingship and Majesty by William George Jordan

In 'Self-Control, Its Kingship and Majesty', William George Jordan explores the concept of self-control as a vital virtue for personal success and happiness. He argues that true greatness is achieved not by innate qualities but by cultivating self-mastery and discipline. The book emphasizes the transformative power of self-control in overcoming human weaknesses and shaping one's destiny.

Published in 1952, 'The Power of Positive Thinking' is a classic self-help book that emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive mindset to overcome life's challenges. Dr. Peale provides practical techniques such as affirmations, visualization, and faith to help readers build self-confidence, achieve their goals, and improve their personal and professional relationships. The book is rooted in Christian ethos and uses biblical teachings to guide readers towards a more fulfilling and joyful life.

In 'Stillness is the Key', Ryan Holiday explores the concept of inner stillness as a universal principle across different philosophical and religious traditions, including Stoicism, Buddhism, Epicureanism, and more. The book is divided into three sections: stillness of the mind, stillness of the spirit, and stillness of the body. Holiday argues that cultivating stillness allows for better decision-making, increased focus, and a more fulfilling life. He uses anecdotes from historical figures and contemporary examples to illustrate the importance of moderation, patience, and self-awareness in achieving this state of stillness.

In 'Take Back Your Family', Jefferson Bethke critiques the Western notion of the nuclear family, arguing it has led to broken homes and confusion. He proposes a return to a biblical model of multi-generational teams, emphasizing shared mission and mutual growth. The book explores historical events leading to the current family dynamics and offers strategies for families to thrive as a community.

A book about time management and how to live a more fulfilling life.

This book introduces readers to systems thinking, a critical skill for 21st-century life. It explains how to understand and interact with complex systems, highlighting the importance of internal system structures and feedback loops. The book is divided into sections on system structures and behavior, the relationship between systems and humans, and strategies for creating change within systems. It aims to help readers develop a deeper understanding of systems to address global issues such as climate change, poverty, and social inequalities.

In 'The Second Mountain', David Brooks explores the concept of two mountains in life: the first mountain, which represents individual success and ego-driven achievements, and the second mountain, which symbolizes a life of deeper meaning, commitment, and contribution to a greater good. Brooks argues that our society's extreme individualism has torn the social fabric, and the path to repair is through making deeper commitments to a spouse and family, a vocation, a philosophy or faith, and a community. The book is both a personal reflection on Brooks' own life journey and a broader social commentary, offering practical advice and stories of people who have lived joyous, committed lives.

In 'Soundtracks,' Jon Acuff explores how overthinking hinders our potential and offers a proven plan to change overthinking from a problem into a superpower. The book introduces the concept of 'soundtracks' as the repetitive thoughts that shape our perceptions. Acuff provides practical strategies, such as creating personalized playlists of empowering soundtracks and using daily affirmations, to replace negative thoughts with positive ones. He emphasizes the importance of controlling our thoughts and gathering evidence to support positive thinking. The book is based on a study involving 10,000 participants and offers tools to help readers rewire their thought processes and achieve their goals.

Published in 1937, 'Think and Grow Rich' is a seminal work in the self-help genre. The book is the result of over twenty years of research by Napoleon Hill, who studied the habits and achievements of more than 500 successful individuals, including Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, and Henry Ford. Hill distills their wisdom into thirteen principles that, when practiced with persistence and faith, can transform dreams into reality. These principles include the power of desire, faith, specialized knowledge, organized planning, and the role of the subconscious mind. The book emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive mental attitude, setting clear and specific goals, and taking consistent action to achieve success. It also explores the concept of the 'Master Mind' alliance and the need to overcome fears and doubts to achieve one's objectives.